CUSO Financial Services and Sorrento Pacific Financial Rebrand and Enhance Institutional Trading Program, Offering Participation in Sales Commissions to Clients
Enhanced program adds increased support and more product options to community banks and credit unions

SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sister companies, CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS) and Sorrento Pacific Financial, LLC (SPF), full-service broker dealers and SEC Registered Investment Advisers providing customized investment and insurance solutions to financial institutions, have rebranded their institutional trading program as Investment Portfolio Solutions (IPS) and hired industry expert Matt Johnson to direct program sales and marketing. Through participation in the IPS program with CFS and SPF, credit unions and community banks gain direct access to fixed income capital markets that are typically only available to them at retail price levels.

CFS and SPF have offered a trading program for several years under the previous name Trading Opportunities Program. The enhanced Investment Portfolio Solutions (IPS) program builds upon the established foundation, adding increased support and product options. IPS allows financial institutions to invest in new-issue government agency bonds and participate in the commission received for the sale that is typically kept by bond salespeople. Participants in the IPS program share in that concession with CFS and SPF, helping them to increase margins. IPS also offers CMOs (collateralized mortgage obligations), taxable municipal bonds, SBA pools, other mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds as well as other product options.

To support the IPS program, Matt Johnson has been hired as institutional fixed income sales director to manage program sales and promotion. Johnson is a seasoned veteran in developing asset liability management solutions and has helped credit unions manage their fixed income portfolios for more than a decade in his previous management position with Balance Sheet Solutions. According to Valorie Seyfert, president and CEO of CFS and SPF, Johnson brings sophisticated expertise and a passion for the industry to his client interactions.

"Matt will be a real asset to the program in guiding clients to use the IPS program to increase profit and interest income," said Seyfert. "Client-first options like shared concessions are what financial institutions need from a partner, and we believe they demonstrate our commitment to our clients' success. Our Investment Portfolio Solutions program is an excellent tool to manage assets while increasing the bottom line. We expect a very positive response from the market."

Johnson will join the team of Tom McCarthy, director of fixed income trading, and Abeer Randazzo, senior fixed income trading representative, who have been handling the program since 2003. The team acts as an extension of the financial institution's balance sheet management department and provides education on investments that will help management choose the right fixed income product for the institution's needs. Banks and credit unions interested in learning more about IPS programs can call 1-800-686-4724.

About CUSO Financial Services, LP and Sorrento Pacific Financial LLC

Full-service, sister broker dealers CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS) and Sorrento Pacific Financial LLC (SPF) (Members FINRA/SIPC) provide customized investment and insurance solutions to nearly 200 credit unions and banks throughout the country. Headquartered in San Diego, with branch offices and licensed representatives nationwide, both broker dealers are SEC Registered Investment Advisers, with expertise in key areas including retirement services, wealth management, and fee-based and insurance products for both individuals and business customers. For more information, see www.cusonet.com or www.sorrentopacific.com.